A Happy Family

The Best Parent Guide through Planning Kids' Birthday Parties

>> Mar 24, 2015

Every parent's dream is to see their children grow up and become these amazing human beings they'll be proud of. Being a parent myself I can say my biggest happiness in life is seeing my children happy, content and smiled and I'll do just about anything to make that happen – and I bet that so will you.

An important date in everyone's life, especially children's is their birthday. When they're little, up to a year or two, they don't really know what exactly is happening and why there are so many people staring at them, flashing cameras in their faces, trying to take a few photos. This time frame is when you are completely on your own and all the fun you make is either for show or for the experience and photos you'll be showing your precious one one day, telling them how gorgeously you've celebrated their first birthday. But, once they get a little older (age 3 and up) – this is when the real drama starts. At this time, they already know what they like and how they want it and you're there to oblige. It's not as bad as it sounds, really – if anything, it's more fun because you can actually consult your young one on the decisions you are going to make.

From my experience, kids want nothing pompous but rather something simple and fun, a space they'll play at with their friends all they long. Obviously, you need to organize everything with their needs and tastes in mind, but that's okay.

Here's the best guide for throwing a party that is fun for everyone, even the adults.

Involve Your Child In The Party Planning

Before spending your money and time on figuring out what sort of a part your kids want – ask them! You'll be surprised how open and upfront they are about their wishes. They'll gladly choose the party's theme and activities (hint: don't get surprised when they name their favorite cartoon as theme) and can even help design the invitations.

If your child is creative and enjoys expressing him/herself through drawings, you can have him or her draw and color on paper for a personal touch. If you feel like they'll get tired or bored with this activity, just ask them to stamp their favorite stamp on the invitation, sign the card, leave a kiss pattern, or anything similar.

Short and Structured Is What Kids Want

For a children's party, two or three hours is plenty of time and usually more than enough. Unlike adults, kids don't need much time to warm up to their environment, especially when they are coming to a party of their friend's. They go straight into it, not wasting a second of the opportunity to play and eat cake! Downside to planning a kids' party is that most children get bored soon. This is why you should keep the party short and structured. The main event should begin as soon as most of the guests arrive (it's important to be specific and clear about the party's beginning and ending on the invitation), keeping everyone busy from arrival to departure. It's best to serve food and cake in the final half-hour. If you serve it straight away, children may get sick running around and jumping with their stomachs full. Also, plan age-appropriate activities – don't experiment with new stuff. Stick with familiar games, things you know children of that age love.

Keep the Food Simple and Fun

Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches in various shapes, such as flowers or stars or any other shape your child suggests. Turn Jell-O into letters of the alphabet or interesting shapes. Serve foods that are easily grasped by small hands and don't require cutting.

A Unifying Theme Is The Way To Go

Once you or your child have chosen a theme, make sure it resonates through all the aspects of the party. For instance, if your little girl has chosen Cinderella for her theme party, send out invitations pointing out a cartoon dress code is desirable, make a cake shaped like a castle, a crown or Cinderella herself (anything else from the cartoon works, too), add some sparkle with decorative lights, etc. As for costumes, you don't have to worry that it'll take months for both you and other children's parents to make one – there are now Disney costumes online that are available at any time and aren't pricey at all!

Hopefully, this blog will make it easier for you to organize your little one's party! These party planning strategic moves have helped me with my kids, numerous times! Well, at least till they got older and decided their parents aren't cool anymore!

Hit the Road Confidently with Driving Lessons in Killarney

>> Mar 23, 2015

Taking driving lessons from a well-established driving school in Killarney prior to hitting the road definitely is essential to ensure safety as well as familiarizing traffic rules. Every country has its respective laws and rules and regulations. Those residing in Killarney can choose from a wide array of driving schools here to learn the techniques to drive in and out. There are people who presently drive manual vehicles, but wish to purchase automatic vehicles. When it comes to the mechanisms, there exists some difference amid the two which is essential for one to know. The professionals offering driving lessons in Killarney will teach every student every detail minutely which will aid them in knowing the fundamentals of manual as well as automatic cars. These lessons will give them the much needed confidence of handling a vehicle and hitting the road instantly.

Advantages of selecting Killarney driving lessons

Although there are multiple advantages of selecting Killarney driving lessons of which the 5 most remarkable are as follows,

Excellent instructors- the driving instructors in Killarney driving schools are not only knowledgeable and experienced, but are also extremely patient, friendly and sincere
Online services- one can enrol for driving lessons here both in the main office or through their online services
A broad service area- they offer driving lessons in different parts of Killarney
Utmost flexibility- these driving schools not only have day time classes, but also have provision for evening as well as weekend classes, thereby giving one utmost flexibility to choose the best timings
Convenience- the instructors here will offer students pick up and also drop off services from a suitable place

Lessons designed as per one’s availability and convenience

The lessons in Killarney driving schools will be programmed as per every student’s availability and convenience and the best part is these will be available 7 days a week. One can expertise the fundamental driving skills in an environment they feel comfortable in. The moment the instructors here is confident that their student is capable to sit for a test they will accordingly arrange for a date and this applies to both practical and theoretical tests. To add to it, with respect to the theory classes, these professionals can also arrange for mock tests and online classes to prepare the student for the real test so that they do not face any challenges in clearing the exam as that will help them in qualifying for the practical exams too. These lessons will cover almost every area of Killarney. Thus, no matter in which part of Killarney one is based, they can assess the facilities provided by the leading driving instructors in Killarney.

No matter whether one is inexperienced, nervous or anxious at driving, the driving lessons in Killarney can aid them in being well aware regarding road rules and regulations, driving defensively and also in harsh weather conditions. They offer assorted types of driving lessons and courses to select from which includes driving tests, lesson packages, refresher courses and single lessons. Every trainer in the driving schools in Killarney possesses years of expertise and knowledge and can offer world-class training to existing or new drivers. Such stress-free learning will remove from one’s mind the panic of driving completely, thereby helping them build their confidence. So register at these schools and leave the remaining to them as they are there to guide one throughout.

This article gives a detailed study of just everything that one needs to about the driving lessons offered in Killarney.

About the Author- In this article Pam Elwin has brought into focus the different aspects of driving lessons in Killarney. She has also laid emphasis on how with the help of these lessons one can hit the road with confidence.

Women’s Parking Space Sign

Suits the name, this parking space is specially allocated and identified be used by women. In a mall, they are commonly near exits to increase the safety of women, to ease the parking act, and to facilitate walking to shopping destination.

Here, I usually see women’s parking space in pink colored area while when we visited a mall yesterday, I saw only this simple sign. Well, better than none.

Blue Monday

Driving Lessons in Cork and What It Entails

The very thought of driving on the chaotic and busy roads in Cork makes one feel nervous. Here the best way out is in getting oneself equipped with the ins and outs of driving by being a part of the renowned driving school in Cork.

Whether one is a driver who drives occasionally or have never sat behind the wheels, the driving instructors in these schools can help both in brushing up one’s long forgotten skills or teaching the fundamentals of driving. Taking driving lessons in Cork from renowned driving schools, along with being crucial for one’s safety is also beneficial to bind up their self confidence too.

Getting trained from reputed schools will make sure that when one is on the road they are confident and safe. The icing on the cake is post being trained under experienced and qualified instructors in this domain, one will be capable of handling every tough driving situation.

What does Cork driving lessons entail?

Each driving course is differently structured resting on the learner’s needs. Cork driving lessons will entail the following,

Car control- to have control over one’s car is vital while taking to the roads. Here the instructors will ensure that every learner driver is confident and capable of maintaining smooth control of their car via correct seat adjustment, utilization of the steering, gears, clutch, brakes, accelerator and signals
Decision making- to make fast decisions while on the road is critical to daily driving. Cork driving lessons will ensure every student is taught about lane changing, traffic flow, maneuvering, merging and proceeding via traffic lights
Road positioning- here every learner will be taught ways to make sure that their car is always in a safe and secure position while on the road. Here the instructors will instruct the learner regarding blind spots, three-point turns, parking and above all maintaining a good and a safe distance from the other cars
Speed management- here the learner will be taught as well as capable of demonstrating their abilities of speed management and maintaining safe distances amid other cars on the road. To ensure a minimum gap of 3 seconds while following another car will aid to prevent any possible crash scenario. Every student will be trained that via reducing speed, especially when vision is partial will aid in keeping the driver, the passengers and others on the street safer

Most people begin to learn driving with friends or family, but by doing this they are likely to catch the bad habits which their teacher has gathered over the years. With the help of specialized driving lessons in Cork one can master the road rules as well as the vital driving techniques which are crucial in staying protected on the roads. These lessons are customized for each learner as some know more compared to others or may be faster in grasping the techniques than others for driving on the roads in Cork. The driving schools here offer lessons of different types ranging from check test training, theory test training, danger perception test training, intensive driving course to name a few. Here one can choose a male/female instructor as per their comfort zone who will accompany them throughout, including every rule and regulation that is laid down via the constitution. Based on their reliable services as well as premier teaching tactics they have successfully created a niche for themselves.

This article gives a detailed study on the wide array of driving lessons and packages that Cork driving schools offer.

About the Author- With the help of this article Persara Haden has brought into limelight why taking driving lessons in Cork from renowned driving schools along with being crucial for one’s safety is also beneficial to bind up their self confidence.

Sad News and Good News

>> Mar 21, 2015

It’s a long week for me. Juno, a female cat of ours, got sick since two weeks ago. The vet said she’s affected by a virus. Because of Juno born premature, she had weaker antibody than others. After hospitalized for almost a week, Juno died last Monday. We buried her in the front yard, under the mango tree. Rest in peace, Juno.

Juno's grave and a short video of her. Sorry for less quality video.

Unfortunately, Koneng got affected too. He started vomiting several times a day and didn’t want to eat and drink at all. The vet gave medicines to hold the symptoms but the virus can only be beaten by his body’s immune system. Koneng had to be located separately and I decided to take care of him seriously. After three hard days, Koneng showed good recovery signs yesterday (Friday). He looses a little weight, but he looks better now.